Armando Achundia approves FIFA’s provision to prevent players from covering their mouths with their hands

Armando Archundia, Former head of the Mexican Soccer Referees Commission and with vast experience at the local and international level in FIFA World Cups, he stated in an interview with The Opinion that FIFA’s provision on preventing players from covering their mouth with their hand will be a benefit in the fight against racism in football from the World Cup 2026.

“It is an issue to prevent the use of discriminatory words, those that undermine players, especially those of color, and that is what the Global Board, which is in charge of manage the use of regulations in matches regulated by FIFA”.

when there is a controversy or discussion with another player. What is intended is to be read perfectly what is said with the lips and be able to detect it with technology and the cameras that exist.

The provision called “Vinicius Law” has the objective of preventing events like that of the striker Brazilian Vinicius Junior from Exact Madrid and Luca Pastrianni from Benfica in Portugal, where the Brazilian requested intervention.on of his companions and the whistler to prevent the issue from escalating to other levels, but above all

He added on this topic that: “Everything can be perceived and there are no players who use racist words and then say, “No, I didn’t say anything, I said something else.“So, once they no longer cover their mouths, we will know what is being said.”

Archundia explained that it was necessary to regulate this type of acts by players, especially due to the abuse that was being incurred, such as the most recent case. that captured media attention, in which the Brazilian Vinicius Jr. from Exact Madrid and the Argentine Lucas Pestrianni fromBenfica from Portugal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs, last February.

Both players were involved in this controversy, where the Brazilian striker complained of racist behavior and homophobic insults from the Argentine player, causing UEFA to initiate a thorough investigation and In the end, it will determine a six-game suspension against the Portuguese team player.

The nature of the act escalated to a level that involved other players such as the Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, partner of Vinicius Jr and which generated great controversy worldwide, because it could never be proven with certainty if there had been any insult, since it is claimed that Prestianni called Vini Jr cute, but it could not be pointed out exactly either.

After these events, the Vinicius Law gave way, where the players They demand a more radical stance regarding the application of norms against racismespecially because it has become a real cancer that threatens the stability of football.

“A very useful tool to fight racism”

Archundia said that more than a tool for refereeing or whistlers, it will be pIt’s the people who sanction, the ones who apply the punishments, because there are times when the referee is not going to realize what you are telling him; If the play is from the south goal and the players stay in the north goal, it is difficult for the referee or the assistant referee to see it, but the VAR could also help, especially in countries that have that tool.

The former head of arbitration said that this measure will allow the players to be more contained in their claims, which has often led to wrong decisions that are not attached to the reality of what happens in the game.

“If you could survey their lips, what they say, but it is more for that reason that the Disciplinary Commissions, then they follow these types of situations ex officio and with all the tools and elements they have, so they can sanction the player who breaks the law.

He said that the decision gives the referee the possibility of immediately expelling the offender and not waiting for an investigation to determine whether or not there were racist insults. “According to what the Global Board says, he can show the red card if he deems it appropriate When hearing any word, whether homophobic, discriminatory, in short, whatever he considers is not within the regulations and must be sanctioned accordingly.

Finally, he explained that it is about making football much more inclusive and combating racism is the first step: “FIFA seeks to ensure that there are no cries of racism or any very similar situation.”because here it is about taking care of the player’s integrity and whether homophobic shouts are combated in this way, such as the use of water in matches.

Continue reading:
-They seek to place the former Argentine referee back in charge of the whistlers in Mexico
– Armando Archundia leaves the Arbitration Commission in the middle of the arbitration crisis
-The resignation of Armando Archundia and the umpteenth arbitration restructuring are made official